Amazon and VomHub have announced a nine-month program to empower 35 South African women-led manufacturing businesses to build sustainable, globally competitive enterprises. Amazon Sustainable Sellers Incubator WomHub, a South African ecosystem enabler and consulting firm supporting innovation, will provide tailored business services for female founders.
The 35 participating women-led businesses selected from across South Africa will receive comprehensive training that integrates essential business and digital skills as well as circular economy principles, sustainable product design and eco-friendly practices.
“By empowering South African women entrepreneurs to build businesses rooted in environmental responsibility from day one, we are not only supporting individual success – we are contributing to a more sustainable future that benefits communities and the planet,” says Robert Coen, Amazon MD for Sub-Saharan Africa.. ““This incubator reflects our commitment to enabling the next generation of South African vendors to grow and compete globally.”
The program's sustainability curriculum includes circular economy principles, ethical sourcing, sustainable packaging, purpose-driven branding and environmental impact measurement. This focus on environmental stewardship is complemented by comprehensive business development support, including training in financial management, marketing, quality control and e-commerce commercialization, as well as one-on-one mentorship and access to patient capital such as grant funding and low-interest loans for sustainable growth.
Participants will also receive assistance navigating Amazon's Seller Central Information Portal for account registration, customized product listings, professional catalog photography, brand registration, and guidance on Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) services – all while maintaining their commitment to sustainable business practices. Additionally, access to co-working spaces and innovation hubs in Johannesburg, Cape Town and East London provide physical infrastructure for collaboration and growth.
WomHub has nearly two decades of experience supporting women entrepreneurs in STEM. Since 2006, the organization has worked in 33 countries, providing a number of incubators and accelerators, including the Circular Economy Incubator and Resilient Futures Fund programmes.
“This announcement represents our vision for the future of South African entrepreneurship,” says Nadia Moosaji, Chief Innovation Officer at VomHub. “We are proving that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand. By equipping female entrepreneurs with both business skills and environmental consciousness, we are building a new generation of South African brands that compete globally while protecting our planet for future generations.”